BTN LiveBIG: On Wisconsin's community outreach

Posted 4 years ago

BTN’s new series “BTN LiveBIG” continues Tuesday following the Nebraska at Wisconsin men’s basketball game, with stories about a student-run program that for more than 20 years has provided free health care to patients in need and a local neighborhood book exchange program that has gone global. The episode will air at midnight ET on Tuesday.

Viewers will get a look at MEDiC, a program run by students of the Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and by professional volunteers from various healthcare backgrounds. Seven MEDiC clinics provide access, resources and care to low-income patients who may not be able to receive care otherwise. The program allows students to work alongside health professionals while getting hands-on experience. Approximately 80 percent of Wisconsin medical students participate in MEDiC at least once during their time at Wisconsin.

The episode will also include a look at the Little Free Library initiative, a neighborhood book exchange that helps promote literacy throughout local communities. The program began in Hudson, Wis., where neighbors built wooden containers and placed them in various locations throughout the area. Each container is made to hold up to 20 to 30 books. Everyone is welcome to take a book from the container or put one of their own inside for others to take. The library has now grown into a global initiative, generating support to help build and provide books for villages in Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Tuesday’s episode will also feature former Badger lineman Jake Wood, who established Team Rubicon, a relief organization that inspires veterans to continue their service in areas devastated by natural disasters around the world. Also featured is former Badger guard Devin Harris, who created a free basketball camp to provide children of low-income, at-risk households activities that promote health, wellness and continuing education.

Thousands of Little Free Libraries can be found all of the country. Each Library holds about 24 books that are available to the community.

The Little Free Motto: Always A Gift, Never For sale is stamped on every donated book.

The Little Free Library relies on volunteers to organize books that will be exchanged.

There are Little Free Libraries that can be found throughout 36 countries.

MEDiC allows University of Wisconsin Medical Students to offer free medical service to those in need.

Nayeli Spahr leads her team of volunteers at a MEDiC volunteer meeting.

MEDiC is a University of Wisconsin student group giving Wisconsin medical students real world experience.